"Nazo Ana"

Nazo Ana, who was born in 1061 H.(1651 A.D.)was a remarkable Pashtun lady famed for her intellect, bravery and kindness. She is best remembered for being the mother of the great Pashtun leader,Mirwais Khan Hotaki, but Nazo Ana was also a gifted poet. Her quatrain below is an example of a Pashtun's deep love of nature and their sharp eye for detail:

"At dawn the narcissus petals were wet,
Like tears, flowed each crystalline droplet.
Why do you cry thus, O pretty flower? I asked:
"My life is just a fleeting smile", replied the floret."

Nazo Ana